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WGU Offers $200,000 in Scholarships for Women in Technology

News Brief - 9/12/17

Nonprofit, competency-based university will award 100 IT scholarships for women

SALT LAKE CITY  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in the male-dominated IT field are projected to grow by 12% (about 488,500 new jobs) through 2024. In an effort to help women gain the education they need to fill these positions, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) has announced 100 new scholarships for any of its bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the College of Information Technology.

Each Women in Technology Scholarship is valued at up to $2,000—$500 per six-month term for up to four terms. Applications are now being accepted for these scholarships through December 31.

"The moment I started my program at WGU, I got promoted to a director of IT for a transportation organization,” said Manjit Sooch, WGU MBA in IT Management graduate. “Now, with my new skills and credentials, I'm preparing for a C-level position."

To be eligible for one of these scholarships, female applicants must be officially admitted to WGU, complete the scholarship application, and be interviewed by a WGU scholarship counselor. While WGU will award up to 100 scholarships, recipients will be selected based on their academic records, financial needs, and readiness for online study at WGU, among other considerations.

WGU’s online, competency-based programs allow working professionals to study and learn on their own schedules and advance as soon as they demonstrate mastery of course materials. When paired with the university’s affordable tuition of about $6,000 per year, WGU’s flexible learning model makes it possible for working adults to earn an accredited degree and recognized industry certifications.